Thackeray made the remarks while reacting to the unopposed election of 68 Mahayuti candidates in civic polls scheduled for January 15. His comments came during a joint appearance with Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray at Shiv Sena Bhavan, where Raj Thackeray visited after nearly 20 years. The two leaders also released their party manifesto, signaling a coordinated political push ahead of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections.
The opposition’s criticism followed reports that a significant number of candidates from rival parties withdrew their nominations, resulting in uncontested victories for the ruling alliance. Uddhav Thackeray alleged that such outcomes raise serious concerns about electoral fairness and public choice.
Responding to the allegations, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis dismissed the claims and reiterated the Mahayuti’s development-focused agenda. Speaking at a separate rally, Fadnavis said Mumbai belongs to Maharashtra and cannot be divided along linguistic lines. “Mumbaikars want development, not language disputes,” he said, adding that the next mayor of Mumbai would be Marathi and Hindu.
Fadnavis also said the government would identify and expel illegal Bangladeshi infiltrators, stressing that the election is about governance and infrastructure rather than emotional politics. He accused previous BMC administrations of failing to address housing and employment issues, claiming that thousands of mill workers were forced to leave the city due to prolonged inaction.
The controversy intensified in Thane district, where 32 BJP and Shiv Sena candidates were elected unopposed. Shiv Sena (UBT) Thane chief Kedar Dighe alleged large-scale rigging, noting that nearly 47 percent of the state’s uncontested victories came from the district alone. He described the development as unprecedented and demanded that voters be given a NOTA option even when only one candidate remains in the fray.
Fadnavis maintained that the unopposed wins reflect public support for the ruling alliance. He said that even if opposition parties approach the courts, the people’s mandate would prevail.
The MNS has announced plans to challenge the unopposed elections legally, setting the stage for a prolonged political and legal battle as Maharashtra heads into a crucial phase of local body elections.
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